Evaluation of fungal and bacterial aerosols in cotton dust in a spin factory in El-Minia city and its relation to pulmonary function changes among workers

ABSTRACT

Background: High concentration of airborne viable particles [bacteria and fungi] are being aerosolized in industrial environments. Inhalation of cotton dust, flax or hemp dust, by textile workers has been known to cause acute reversible bronchoconstriction, which on repeated exposure leads to chronic pulmonary disease called byssinosis. The present study was done in order to determine the concentration of bacteria and fungi in cotton dust and to assess their effect on the severity of pulmonary symptoms and functions